Corporation's commercial arm appeals to fans not to pass on titles and plots after the full scripts for Peter Capaldi's opening stories are made public online

BBC Worldwide has apologised to Doctor Who fans after five scripts from the upcoming eighth series have been leaked online.

The Corporation’s commercial arm BBC Worldwide issued a statement to RadioTimes.com pleading for the public not to share the material after the first five scripts of the new series, which will begin broadcasting on August 23, surfaced online. They are the opening feature length episode Deep Breath by Steven Moffat as well as four others.

RadioTimes.com has seen the scripts and knows the titles but will not be making them public.

The statement read: “BBC Worldwide is currently investigating a security issue around Doctor Who Series 8 where unfinished material has inadvertently been made public. We deeply regret this and apologise to all the show's fans, the BBC and the cast and crew who have worked tirelessly making the series.

“We would like to make a plea to anyone who might have any of this material and spoilers associated with it not to share it with a wider audience so that everyone can enjoy the show as it should be seen when it launches. We know only too well that Doctor Who fans are the best in the world and we thank them for their help with this and their continued loyalty."

The scripts are understood to have been disseminated online after being sent to the BBC Worldwide’s newly opened Latin America headquarters in Miami for translation.

“The opening episode is being simulcast globally so of course translations have to be prepared in advance,” said a BBC source.

Deep Breath, the feature-length premiere episode of the eighth series, will air on BBC1 on Saturday August 23.

However fans are being given a chance to catch the first glimpse of Capaldi’s debut on the show at a Cardiff premiere on August 7, weeks before it arrives on TV. The lunchtime event will be held at St David’s Hall in the city and will kickstart the drama’s publicity world tour.